You may have health anxiety if you: constantly worry about your health. frequently check your body for signs of illness, such as lumps, tingling or pain. are always asking people for reassurance that you're not ill.
In the back of your mind you still feel like something is wrong. If this sounds like you or a loved one, it may be health anxiety. Health anxiety is a condition that causes healthy people to worry that they are sick — even when they have no symptoms, or minor symptoms like a scratchy throat.
Repeatedly checking your body for signs of illness or disease. Frequently making medical appointments for reassurance — or avoiding medical care for fear of being diagnosed with a serious illness. Avoiding people, places or activities for fear of health risks. Constantly talking about your health and possible illnesses.
Many people with health anxiety are often unable to function or enjoy life due to their fears and preoccupations. They become preoccupied with bodily functions (breathing, heartbeat), minor physical abnormalities (skin blemishes), or physical sensations (headaches, stomach aches).
The difference is that, when extra heartbeats in the upper and lower chambers are the cause of abnormal rhythm, symptoms may feel like an initial skip or hard thumping beat followed by a racing heart. When anxiety is the trigger, heart rate typically increases steadily rather than suddenly.
Panic disorder
Panic attacks are intense, overwhelming and often uncontrollable feelings of anxiety. Physical symptoms can include trouble breathing, chest pain, dizziness and sweating.
Worry and anxiety lasting at least 6 months
It's normal and healthy to be concerned about changes to your health. But if that worry lasts at least 6 months, and you have evidence that you are actually healthy, this can be a sign of illness anxiety disorder.
You might utilize relaxation skills, deep breathing, mindfulness practice, being in nature, or other soothing activities that ground you back in the present moment. These are tools that can help you to refocus attention when thoughts about the body are all-consuming.
Health anxiety most often occurs in early or middle adulthood and can worsen with age. For older people, health anxiety may focus on a fear of developing memory problems. Other risk factors for health anxiety include: a stressful event or situation.
Stress. Daily stressors like traffic jams or missing your train can cause anyone anxiety. But long-term or chronic stress can lead to long-term anxiety and worsening symptoms, as well as other health problems. Stress can also lead to behaviors like skipping meals, drinking alcohol, or not getting enough sleep.
Some common mental symptoms of anxiety include:
Feeling nervous, restless or tense. Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom. Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry. Having difficulty controlling worry.
Different Types of Anxiety Disorder
Panic disorder – can be associated with cardiac disease or mistaken for heart attack. Feelings of extreme agitation and terror are often accompanied by dizziness, chest pains, stomach discomfort, shortness of breath, and rapid heart rate.
In reality, regular examinations and screenings related to heart health should begin at 20 years old, with most tests being performed every 2 to 4 years. Such measures can often clue both patient and physician into any potential heart problems before serious health complications occur.
Although not specifically for heart problems, some routine blood tests can provide valuable information about your overall health — including your heart: Complete blood count, or CBC: measures levels of different components of your blood.
Illness anxiety disorder is a chronic mental illness previously known as hypochondria. People with this disorder have a persistent fear that they have a serious or life-threatening illness despite few or no symptoms. Medications and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can help.
Because it's a part of your being, anxiety won't go away completely. But you can lessen its grasp through understanding and self-awareness.
If you feel edgy almost every day, it's a good idea to seek help. Talk therapy will sometimes do the trick. However, if you often feel like you're standing at the edge of a cliff—heart racing, palms sweating, feeling like you might faint—you could be having panic attacks.
For the majority of people with undiagnosed or untreated anxiety disorder, there are many negative consequences, for both the individual and society. These include disability, reduced ability to work leading to loss of productivity, and a high risk of suicide.
Common anxiety behaviors include: Avoidance of feared situations or events. Seeking reassurance. Second-guessing.
Chronic, untreated anxiety is linked to panic attacks, depression, substance abuse, brain fog and other serious issues.